IDB Conflict Resolution System for Employees

IDB and IIC employees have multiple resources to resolve conflicts.

The Bank's Office of Ethics supports and guides employees and IDB management on the proper application of the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. In addition, the Office conducts staff ethics training sessions.

The IDB’s Human Resources Department Department has an important role in the prevention and resolution of work-related issues and grievances. Given that conflict is an inherent part of human interaction, the advice and intervention by the Human Resources Department on labor relations seek to anticipate conflicts at the earliest stage, as well as intercede to resolve them once they are brought to the Department’s attention through, amongst others, participation in the informal and formal conflict resolution mechanisms within the institution.

Staff and consultants of the IDB can resort to the Ombudsperson, an independent, confidential and impartial resource to help address work-related issues. The Ombudsperson supplements the Bank’s regular channels for workplace issues by providing informal venue to resolve concerns, problems, or conflicts in a fair and equitable way. The Ombudsperson also monitors trends that arise out of casework to contribute to the early detection of issues of potential significance at the institutional level.

In addition, and as part of the recommendations made by an independent review to help strengthen the Bank’s employee grievance system, the Bank added Mediation as an additional tool to help resolve labor-related conflicts. To this end, the Bank’s president appointed a Mediation Secretary to guide and advise those involved in conflict in all matters related to Mediation and related processes. Mediation is a confidential conflict resolution mechanism in which an impartial third party helps two or more participants better understand their issues, interests and needs and empowers them to bridge their differences through a voluntary agreement.

The Bank's Administrative Tribunal is the final instance that settles disputes which arise out of the employment relationship of the Bank or the Corporation.

The Bank recognizes that difficulties and conflict are normal in any work environment and values the importance of addressing workplace issues and ethics matters at the earliest possible stage. The resources in this website provide multiple options to help employees manage and resolve work related issues in a productive way.​

Supervisor

Where is the first place I can go to address a workplace situation?

Supervisors…

Listen and respond to work-related questions and provide employees advice and guidance

Help address workplace situations by interceding and enabling employees to use cooperative problem-solving skills, that if not properly handled could escalate to more serious problems

Provide direction and support to staff, including defining work plans and evaluating performance

May seek assistance in addressing workplace situations from the Human Resources Department, the Ombudsperson, or the Office of Mediation

Supervisors have an obligation to report actual or potential Misconduct to the Office of Ethics

Office of Ethics

Where should I go if I need to report employee Misconduct?

Office of Ethics (ETH)…

Responds to employees’ questions about conflicts of interest and interprets the Bank’s Code of Ethics

Investigates employee Misconduct, such as harassment, abuse of authority, theft, and other Code violations and prohibited practices

Conducts education activities to help employees understand the Bank’s expectations around conduct and business ethics

Carries out the Bank’s annual employee Declaration of Interests program

Supervisors, Managers, Country Representatives, HRD, Ombudsperson and Mediation can offer guidance about what may constitute a Code violation, but only ETH can interpret and enforce the Code

This site has been designed for you to explore the available Conflict Resolution and Ethics mechanisms and not as a substitute for the corresponding policies and regulations. To the extent of any inconsistency, the Bank's rules and procedures shall prevail. If you want to learn about the governing staff rules and policies in greater detail, we invite you to visit the links that have been included throughout the site.